Physical and Emotional Well-Being and Support in Newly Diagnosed Head and Neck Cancer Patient-Caregiver Dyads.

Physical and Emotional Well-Being and Support in Newly Diagnosed Head and Neck Cancer Patient-Caregiver Dyads.

J Psychosoc Oncol. 2017 May 01;:0

Authors: Sterba KR, Zapka J, Armeson KE, Shirai K, Buchanan A, Day TA, Alberg AJ

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to characterize physical and emotional well-being and support in newly diagnosed head and neck (HNC) patients and caregivers and identify sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral risk factors for compromised well-being in patients, caregivers and dyads.. Newly diagnosed HNC patients and their primary caregivers (N = 72 dyads) completed questionnaires before treatment assessing physical and mental well-being, depression, cancer worry and open-ended support questions. We identified factors associated with compromised well-being in patients, caregivers and dyads. Content analysis guided identification of support types. Patients reported worse physical well-being than caregivers (40.5 versus 50.6, p<.0001) but similar mental well-being (43.1 versus 45.5, p = .25). Caregivers reported providing emotional and instrumental support most frequently with an emphasis on nutrition and assistance with speech, appearance, and addictions. Both patients and their caregivers reported suboptimal mental well-being and depression in 41% and 37% of dyads, respectively. Smoking was associated with compromised well-being in patients, caregivers and dyads. Compromised well-being in patients and in dyads (both patients and their caregivers) was more likely when patients were younger, had worse symptoms, and smoked/consumed alcohol (p<.05). HNC dyads face significant demands, and caregivers provide unique support. While patients face more physical strain than caregivers, both equally confront emotional challenges. Both patients and their caregivers had compromised emotional well-being in over one-third of dyads. Results highlight risk factors for compromised well-being in both patients and their caregivers that should be assessed at diagnosis to guide identification of needed dyad-focused supportive care resources.

PMID: 28459393 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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